June 19, 2011

Luke records an interesting event for us when Jesus was brought to the temple as an infant according to the law of Moses (Luke 2:22). There was a man there named Simeon who looked for the Messiah and had been promised that he would not see death until he saw him. When he beheld the Christ child he said to Joseph and Mary, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32). In this he referred to a prophecy by Isaiah (49:6).

There are as many as 45 Old Testament prophecies written for our learning about the coming Messiah. Beginning with Genesis 3:16 through Psalms, Daniel, Isaiah, Micah and Malachi, to name only a few, there are written those things of which Jesus spoke when he said to his apostles following his resurrection, “These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures” (Luke 24:44-45) Is it any wonder that the Bereans after receiving the word with eagerness from Paul searched the scriptures every day to see whether these things were true? (Acts 17:11). Let us all follow the example of the Bereans as we study the scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15).—Amen

The Genesis account reveals that at the time this word was used, a storm was raging like none before or any other since. The Holy Spirit inspired word, used to communicate this event, is kataklusmo/ß (kataklusmos). Looking at the transliteration we can see the similarity to our English word “cataclysm,” which we get from it. It is usually translated “flood,” but means much more than a lot of water. No other catastrophe in the entire history of the earth could compare with the destruction and death of man and beast that was occurring. We are compelled to conclude that billions of people and many more billions of animals died.

In the midst of this horrible turmoil we are reminded that God “remembered” faithful Noah and He even remembered the beast and cattle that were being tossed by the waves while they were in the ark.

We all know only too well that we forget many things that we ought to remember. It’s embarrassing and is sometimes irresponsible. God is different. He remembers.

Our closest friends, even our brethren, may forget the service and sacrifices we make for them, but God remembers.

“For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints,” (Hebrews 6:10).

Most of us have had the experience of listening to promises from individuals who have broken promises before and expect us to trust them now. People do that, but we need to know that God is different. God never forgets His promises. The New Testament first uses this word “remember” with reference to a promise God had made to redeem His people, 2,000 years earlier. In Luke 1, Zacharias, by the Holy Spirit testified,

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people, …to remember His holy covenant, The oath which He swore to Abraham our father,” (vs.68,72-73).

In order to emphasize that our Heavenly Father is aware of our needs, Jesus reminds us that He even remembers the sparrows:

“not one of them is forgotten before God,” (Luke 12:6).

This assures us that He certainly remembers His own children:

“For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust…” (Psalm 103:14, ESV).

The prophets often depict Israel as the wife of Jehovah. He is her husband. After Israel had forsaken her husband and had been an unfaithful wife with other gods, He still said,

“I remember concerning you the devotion of your youth, The love of your betrothals, Your following after Me in the wilderness,” (Jeremiah 2:2).

Knowing that God remembers is reassuring but may also be terrifying. God remembers the evil as well as the good. We have all sinned and time does not affect His memory of that sin.

If we have refused to repent and rectify our past sins, God remembers.

How wonderful is it to know that Christians have been cleansed by the power of the blood of Christ and that this effects the memory of God. He chooses not to remember the sinful past of those who have submitted to His will in obedience to the Gospel.

“THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.” (Hebrews 10:17)

June 12, 2011

Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). These words have moved men for centuries to preach the gospel here at home and in foreign lands. Those who dare to go into areas where they may be in harm’s way deserve our greatest respect. Paul wrote to Timothy, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). We know that actions speak louder than words. Jesus said that he was the light of the world and that whoever followed him will have the light of life (John 8:12). “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

Don Patton is a man who has devoted his life to preaching the gospel and searching out the evidence that God has provided to prove that His word is faithful and true. We are fortunate to have Don and his wife Zynda to work and worship with us.

However, teaching others is not just something that only “preachers” are expected to do. It is a responsibility of us all. I heard a man once say that he liked to preach sermons every day and sometimes even use words. Let us all join together to spread the gospel and love one another more perfectly.—Amen